Nishi-ku, Yokohama
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| Nishi Ward, Yokohama | ||
| Area | 6.98 km² | |
| Population | 85,211 (2006) | |
| Floral emblem | (すいせん) daffodil | |
| Tree emblem | (もくせい) fragrant olive | |
| Ward Office | ||
| Address | 〒220-0051, Yokohama, Nishi-ku, Chūō 1-5-10 |
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| Telephone | +81-45-320-8484 | |
| Website | Nishi Ward Office | |
| Symbol |  |
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Nishi-ku (西区?) is the smallest of the wards of the city of Yokohama in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, with an area of 6.98 km². The population is 85,370. It includes the major commercial hub extending from the Yokohama Station area through the new Minato Mirai 21 complex, which is home to the Yokohama Landmark Tower, the tallest building in Japan.
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[edit] Geography
The ward consists of central lowlands through which the Tōkaidō Main Line and Route 1 pass. The northernmost and southernmost points are upland. The Minato Mirai complex is built on reclaimed land. Nishi-ku is surrounded on its land sides by four other wards of Yokohama: Naka, Minami, Hodogaya, and Kanagawa.
[edit] History
The region once belonged to Tachibana and Kuraki Districts in Musashi Province (later, Kanagawa Prefecture). It encompasses the former Kanagawa-juku and Hodogaya-juku, post stations on the Tōkaidō. Beginning in 1901, some parcels became part of the city of Yokohama. The process became complete in 1911. Yokohama's wards were established in 1927, with this area becoming part of the Kanagawa and Naka wards. In 1944, Nishi became a ward of Yokohama.
[edit] Symbols
Nishi's official tree is an evergreen, the mokusei. Its flower is the narcissus.
[edit] Education
Three universities are located in Nishi Ward. The oldest is Yokohama National University, established in 1876. KU Port Square, part of the private Kanagawa University, established in 1928, lies within the ward. The third is Yashimagakuen University.
[edit] Transportation
The ward's principal railway stations are Yokohama Station and Minato Mirai Station. The JR East Tōkaidō Main Line, Yokosuka Line, Shonan-Shinjuku Line, and Negishi Line; Tokyu Toyoko Line; Minato Mirai Line; Keikyū Main Line; Sagami Railway Main Line; and Blue Line of the Yokohama Municipal Subway serve Nishi.
Scheduled bus service is available on routes throughout the ward. Yokohama City Air Terminal provides service to Narita and Haneda Airports.
Routes 1 and 16 are the national highways in Nishi. Shuto Expressway Routes K1 and K2 have interchanges to serve the ward.
[edit] Places and events
Nishi-ku is home to the Nogeyama Zoo. Minato Mirai 21, including the Yokohama Museum of Art, lies in the ward.
Each June, Nishi hosts the Yokohama Kaikō Festival to commemorate the opening of the city's port. In August, the Yokohama Carnival takes place near Yokohama Station.
[edit] People
Actor Toshio Kurosawa is from Nishi.
[edit] External link
- Official site (in Japanese)
